[RPG]: Lacuna Part I. The Creation of the Mystery and the Girl from Blue City, reviewed by Graham W (5/5)

2nd Level RPGnetter · #1 08-13-2007, 01:00 AM

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/13/13227.phtml

Graham Walmsley's Summary:

Lacuna is a beautifully designed, twisted piece of genius.

Go to the full review for more information.

mywinningsmile · #2 08-13-2007, 06:56 AM

Nice review Graham. Full disclosure, I was one of the play group, and enjoyed it a lot, enough to make me want to play a longer form game (I'm generally a sucker for short-form and one-offs).

To that end, I have a question, for The Scottish Designer (it's bad luck to say his name round these parts) or any wandering acolytes...

On repeated play, does the game demand a particular atmosphere or style of play? In our session, all the PC's were aloof and professional, the NPC's generic and unknowable, and the game ended with the situation making less sense than when it started.

And don't get me wrong, this was great.

However, I suspect there are hazards in trying to extend this specific kind of play indefinitely, and wonder whether the style of play needs to coalesce into some kind of more conventional conspiracy/mystery approach at some eventual stage. Or perhaps even if the Blue City stays unknowable, some smaller aspects should become graspable and resolvable: you can't fight the city, but you can try and find The Orphan a safe place to grow up.

Does anyone have any experience of Lacuna repeated play?

Dan Davenport · #3 08-13-2007, 08:37 AM

Excellent review, Graham. I've wondered about this game, and the descriptions I've seen of it previously seemed as vague as the setting itself. You made it make sense to me, inasmuch as it can make sense.

It puts me in mind of Over the Edge, but with an undefined setting and no facade (however thin) of normality.

C.W.Richeson · #4 08-13-2007, 08:47 AM

Great review, Graham! I'm glad you're continuing to write reviews for RPG.net.

This answers my questions about Lacuna and I understand the product a lot better now, thanks!

Destriarch · #5 08-13-2007, 12:51 PM

I have an old copy of the game called "Lacuna Revised" d'you happen to know if this is the same product or some kind of new edition / supplement?

I like the new cover, but I vastly prefer the old full-colour cover myself. Maybe not as mysterious and slightly more cartoony, but I think it suited the game's surreal atmosphere really well.

Ash

Kid Twist · #6 08-13-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Destriarch

I have an old copy of the game called "Lacuna Revised" d'you happen to know if this is the same product or some kind of new edition / supplement?

You have it on PDF, right? That's the PDF version of the first attempt. Second Attempt does not have a PDF version.

Destriarch · #7 08-14-2007, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid Twist

You have it on PDF, right? That's the PDF version of the first attempt. Second Attempt does not have a PDF version.

Right... so there must be Lacuna, Lacuna Revised, and this version. Ok, thanks for the clarification. Wonder what the differences are.

Ash

Graham W · #8 08-14-2007, 02:19 PM

Ash, as I understand it, there's a couple of differences. The main one is Static, which isn't in the first version. Also, the main success-and-fail mechanic is simplified: in the original, there were different levels of success.

Generally, this "second attempt" is a much more solid game.

Everyone else, thanks, interesting stuff.

No reply from the author yet, I see.

Graham